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America's Cup yachts: Then and now

1851

In 1851, the schooner "America," representing the New York Yacht Club, triumphed over the competition in the United Kingdom's Royal Yacht Squadron's 100 Pound Cup. It was a symbolic victory of the new world over the old and the beginning of a 150-year-old racing tradition that continues to this day: the America's cup.

The design of the "America" was considered revolutionary for its time. But the racing yachts of today would be totally unrecognizable to that original crew. Click on to see how the fastest sailboats in the world have evolved over the last 150 years.

Credit: Fitz Hugh Lane/Wikimedia Commons

1893

The U.S.'s all-metal sloop "Vigilant" beat the British "Valkyrie" in the 1893 America's Cup race.

Credit: John S. Johnston/Library of Congress

1893

America's cup race start, Oct. 7, 1893.

Credit: Henry G. Peabody/Library of Congress

1901

The "Idler" and "Hildegarde," compete in the 1901 America's Cup

Credit: Detroit publishing company/Library of Congress

1937

The American sailboat "Ranger" and the English boat "Endeavour II" during the regatas of the America's Cup, Aug. 9, 1937.

The American sailboat, on the left, carried out its tacking while the English boat gets ready to turn.

Credit: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

1962

"Gretel" (left), the Australian America's Cup challenger, and the American boat, "Vim" are neck and neck in Gretel's first trial sail in the U.S., in Newport, R.I., 1962.

Credit: Underwood Archives/Getty Images

1992

Okay, so Dennis St. Onge's car-boat wasn't technically a competitor in 1992's America's Cup race near San Diego (and it clearly didn't revolutionize yacht design), but it deserves an honorable mention.

Credit: Visions of America/UIG via Getty Images

1995

"Black Magic," right, of New Zealand crosses the first mark in front of the U.S.'s "Stars and Stripes" during the America's Cup Series, May 13, 1995.